GUAGUA -- Residents of Sitio Dalisdis in Barangay Ascomo here have asked the Pampanga Provincial Government to act on the lateral erosions along the stretch of a neighboring Porac river.
Barangay captain Angelo Layug said a big portion of agricultural land in their area has been eroded due to strong water current during heavy rains.
"Aabot na siguro sa may apatnapung hektarya ang tinangay ng malakas na bugso ng tubig at kung hindi ito magagawan ng paraan ay baka dumating ang oras na buong barangay na ang mawala," Layug said.
He said the problem started almost two decades ago when Mount Pinatubo erupted and the National Government has done nothing to protect the residents.
Scores of families have been displaced and relocated to other places but there are still remaining families living in the area who need help, Layug said.
He added that the number of affected families is continuously increasing annually as the problem is not properly addressed.
Governor Lilia Pineda made an ocular inspection the other day to determine the extent of damages brought about by the erosion.
The governor said the Porac River is heavily silted and there is an urgent need to desilt it from lahar deposits in order to address the problem on soil erosion.
Pineda assured the residents that the province would make temporary measures to prevent the siltation on the river.
Pineda said the Porac River does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government but rather within the mandate of the National Government.